Bridge Mode being tied to Static IP, any workarounds?

[kylebro]

Hi all,

Looking for some tips from people who've successfully gotten Bridge Mode enabled on Airtel Xstream Fiber without buying the Static IP add-on.

My setup:

• Router: AOT5222ZY
• Currently on a Dynamic IP plan, want to keep it that way

What I've tried so far:
1. Emailed net@airtel.com explaining that Bridge Mode doesn't have any technical dependency on static vs dynamic IP, and asked for it to be enabled with Dynamic IP.
2. Got a call back from support insisting Static IP (~Rs 250-350/month extra) is mandatory for Bridge Mode to work.
3. Just sent an escalation to the nodal officer (Maharashtra/Goa circle) laying out the same argument and asking for it in writing if this is really a policy.

I've seen a few threads/Reddit posts where people got Bridge Mode enabled on Dynamic IP by pushing back hard enough, sometimes going through the local installation technician's team lead rather than the phone/email support queue. But I haven't cracked it yet.

Questions for anyone who's been through this:

• Did you get Bridge Mode working on Dynamic IP, and if so, what actually worked (which channel, what did you say)?
• Any luck going through TRAI or the Appellate Authority if the nodal officer also stonewalls?

Appreciate any pointers. Thanks!

 

[greghouse]

ask them to show the terms and conditions, and also what is the technical reason behind it.
also tell them you will take it up with the grievance redressal officers if they dont comply.
else just throw their dumb ONT and get a TP-Link ONT. you can bridge whatever u want haha

 

[ka2107]

I sent this email to net@airtel.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is [NAME]. I am writing to request activation of Bridge Mode on the ONT of my Airtel Fiber connection as I prefer to have my own router handle the PPPoE connection and Firewall functionality. I am not interested in Static IP.

WiFi ID: [WIFI_ID]
ONT: AOT5221ZY

Please feel free to contact me via email [REGISTERED_EMAIL] or phone [REGISTERED_MOBILE_NUMBER] if you have any questions.

Thank you.

[NAME]

The day after I sent the email, I received a call from Airtel Customer Service to confirm whether I requested Bridge Mode and they said they will escalate my request to the technical team.

The day after the call with Airtel CS, I got a call from a person on the Airtel technical team and he asked whether I know the PPPoE Username and Password and how to establish PPPoE connection on my own router.

After confirming that, the technical person remotely activated Bridge Mode and then asked confirmation from me whether internet is now working through my own router. Once he verified that internet is working after activation of Bridge Mode, he ended the call and a few minutes later I received notfification that the service ticket has been closed.

Neither the Airtel CS or the technical person insisted on Static IP during their phone calls.

 

[_rajat]

Get a TP-Link XZ000-G3 ONU from lt store. Costs around 1k and very easy to setup. Just clone the GPON SN and VLAN as 100. Dial PPPoE from your router.
I have used this setup for over 2 years and it worked fine for me without any issues. Worth the investment instead of dealing with Airtel's support.

 

[kylebro]

will TP-Link XZ000-G7 work fine here?

 

[_rajat]

G7 doesn't work with Airtel now. Get a G3

 

[Dushie]

Try social media escalation and see if it works. Takes time and back and forth post which you may be able to get it done.
They enable bridge mode for me after lot of escalation and runaround . Took multiple calls between on site engineer, escalation team, backend team and social media team to get it done. I have bridge mode enabled on my Airtel with Dynamic IP.

Else just use a G3 or Vsol and you are good to go which might be the easier path and gives you full control.

 

[kylebro]

As of now I am trying to get my hands on XZ000-G3, awaiting reply from escalation mails.

 

[kylebro]

Escalation emails and one assertive call is what it took for them to enable it. Thankfully, my local engineers are super sane.

 

[Dushie]

Please keep a watch on your next 2 months bill. Sharing this from past experience. They end up setting up bridge mode with static IP and you get to only know post the bill is generated. Then another round of escalation begins to refnd the charged and revert to Dynamic IP while keeping bridge mode enabled.